Cauliflower soft coral
The cauliflower soft coral (Eunephthya thyrsoidea) is a species of colonial soft coral in the family Nephtheidae.[3]
| Cauliflower soft coral | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Cauliflower soft coral | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Octocorallia |
| Order: | Alcyonacea |
| Family: | Nephtheidae |
| Genus: | Eunephthya |
| Species: | E. t. [1] |
| Binomial name | |
| Eunephthya thyrsoidea [2] Verrill, 1869 | |
Description
Cauliflower soft corals grow in colonies of up to 30 centimeters in height. The polyps are 0.2 cm in diameter. It grows as a large whitish colony with side branches ending in bunches of grey- or brown-tinged polyps.[4]
Distribution
This species is known from the Cape Peninsula to northern KwaZulu-Natal off the South African coast, and lives from 10 to 240m under water.
Ecology
This species is often found on vertical rockfaces and when not feeding it contracts tightly, and its resemblance to a cauliflower is striking. It is fed upon by the walking anemone, Preactis millardae.[4]
References
- "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Eunephthya thyrsoidea (Verrill, 1865)". marinespecies.org. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Eunephthya thyrsoidea (Verrill, 1865)". marinespecies.org. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0
- Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9
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